The Fix

In this episode of The Fix, we're joined by Oatey Ambassadors Twig and Ty to discuss mental health and some of the unique challenges and perspectives that come with working in the trades.

They each talk about some personal challenges they have faced regarding mental health, as well as ways they have given and received support from the trades community. 

Resources are available if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health. Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (US) or the Canadian Mental Health Association today. 

Roger Wakefield is an American plumber and business owner from Dallas, Texas, a master plumber with over 40 years of plumbing experience. He is a teacher, trades advocate, podcaster and social media influencer. Roger sits down with Doug and Katherine about his 40+ years in the plumbing industry and how he transformed his business (and career) with social media.   

Guest:

Roger Wakefield -  LEED AP Plumber, Business Owner, Public Speaker and Influencer

Related Resources: 

www.rogerwakefield.com 

YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn   

Questions or Feedback: 

[email protected] 

Paige Knowles, skilled trades advocate, public speaker, and children's book author (Plumber Paige - Let's Fix a Running Toilet, Plumber Paige - Let's Replace a Shower Head), joins us to talk about how she began her career as a plumbing and heating student at her local high school and her path to becoming an entrepreneur and trades influencer for the next generation of young girls.  

Guests:  

Paige Knowles - Trades Advocate, Children’s Author, Public Speaker, Business Owner 

Related Resources: 

www.plumberpaige.com 

www.letsbuildcamp.com 

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube 

Questions or Feedback: 

[email protected] 

Episode Overview: 

Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of residential service and repair and learn from the experts about how they've made a name for themselves in the plumbing industry and how Alex Gouin and Josh Hopkins work with local schools to promote plumbing as a successful path for young students looking to get into the trade. 

Guests:  

Alex Gouin – Oatey Ambassador, Business Owner 

Josh Hopkins - Director, National Sales Canada 

Questions or Feedback: 

[email protected] 

Episode Overview: 

As the Workforce Development Leader for the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines, and the co-founder of Iowa Skilled Trades, Brandon plays an integral and active role in ensuring that the next generation has opportunities to learn the valuable skills that are needed to help bridge the skills gap. 

We talk about their upcoming annual Build My Future event which is a hands-on career day showcasing the industry for over 5,000 high school students across Iowa.

Guests:  

Brandon Patterson - Workforce Development, Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines & Advocate, Iowa Skilled Trades

Related Resources: 

www.iowaskilledtrades.com

www.dsmhba.com

Facebook, Instagram

Questions or Feedback: 

[email protected] 

The Fix – Season 3, Episode 3 

Title: Breaking Barriers: Empowering Young Girls to Pursue the Trades 

Episode Overview: 

Mollie Elkman is the President and Owner of Group Two, a leading new home marketing partner for builders, and the author of The House That She Built, a book that educates young readers about the people and skills that go into building a home. 

She joins us to talk about changing the perception of career-based bias by getting in front of the youngest learners and shifting the mindset of teachers and parents to change some of the unfavorable/stereotypical images of specific jobs. 

Guests:  

Mollie Elkman – President/Owner, Group Two  

Related Resources: 

www.thehousethatshebuilt.com  

www.grouptwo.com 

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube 

Questions or Feedback: 

[email protected] 

Episode Overview: 

Keith Laschinger, Executive Director of Cleveland Builds and Tim Linville, Co-Chair of Cleveland Builds and CEO of the Construction Employers Association, join us to discuss the Union Construction Readiness Program that has placed 50 individuals into the trades since 2021. They also discuss advocacy initiatives and how to educate the next generation and their influencers about trade career benefits and opportunities.  

Guests:  

Keith Lashinger -- Executive Director, Cleveland Builds 

Tim Linville -- Co-Chair, Cleveland Builds and CEO of the Construction Employers Association 

Related Resources: 

www.clevelandbuilds.com 

www.ceacisp.org 

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn 

Questions or Feedback: 

[email protected] 

Ethan Karp, the CEO of Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET), joins us to discuss the challenges facing the manufacturing industry in the US and how to improve diversity, incorporate new technologies, encourage innovation, and provide better leadership.

We dive into the importance of workforce development and working collaboratively as a community of manufacturers to improve and sustain the industry's longevity.

Guests:  

Ethan Karp, President and CEO of MAGNET, Northeast Ohio's Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network 

Related Resources: 

www.manufacturingsuccess.org  

Twitter, LinkedIn,  YouTube 

Questions or Feedback: 

[email protected] 

Plumbers Trey Young (@iplumbit) and Germaine Nelson (@capitolmech) are in the studio wrapping up Ambassador Mini-Series, and we had so much fun with these two. Between their hilarious banter and combined 25+ years of experience, you don't want to miss this episode.

Related Resources:

To learn more about the Oatey Ambassador program, visit our website.

Questions or Feedback:

[email protected]

In part 2 of our Oatey Ambassador Mini-Series, our hosts welcome Omar Harris (@omartheplumber) and Rob Broccolo (@prodrains), who are visiting Cleveland as a part of Ambassador Fest 2022. Omar is a journeyman plumber currently based out of Miami, Florida, specializing in the residential field. He began working in the plumbing trade to support his growing family, and his passion has continued to grow ever since. With ten years of experience in plumbing coupled with owning a business over the last five years, Rob Broccolo has truly seen it all from his hometown of Connecticut.

During this episode, Rob and Omar share how beneficial social media has been when it comes to connecting with others in plumbing and how it has affected their day-to-day lives. They also reflect on their own children's interest in the trades, as well as future generations' potential impact on the industry.

We appreciate Rob and Omar sitting down with us and discussing the trade that we all love!

Related Resources:

To learn more about the Oatey Ambassador program, visit our website.

Questions or Feedback:

[email protected]